Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-03-09

should be taken for the second relie:
on the haunted post; and this selectIo
fell on brawny Yorkshireman, d
Crimean and Indian veteran named
Sykes who at once intimated 1t as his
intention to have a shot at the spectre;
and being filed with q superstitloui
belief in the efficacy of silver bullet
when fired at visitor from the world
of spirits, vowed that lie would hammsI
up his days pay Of six pence and place
it In cartridge, to make sure Of
doing for" the ghost, even although
he knew the operation referred to
would spoil the price of quart of beer.
The sergeant OF the guard having
seriously inquired of the adjutant
whether, in the event of the figure
again making its appearances, the sen.
try would be empowered to fire at it
81 think not" the officer laughingly
observed. "If it's a real ghost, then
Pm afraid bullet won't be of much
service. II 1t Is practical joker, then
We'll make it hot enough for him
without shooting him."
That evening at mess the appearance
OF the spectre was the general theme OF
conversation among the officers; but
all OF them, however, expressed their
incredulity in regard to the story. 4
few Of the youngsters, whose curiosity
was strongly excited on the subject,
made up their minds to keep watch
beside the sentry. so as to pounce on
the spirit when 1t made its appearance,
and arranged to take with them pet
bulldog belonging to the colonel, to as.
sist in the operation.
Wont you Join US sir?" asked a
young ensign, addressing the command
ing officer.
~ think not," he replied. "I'm
tired, and shall 60 to bed. If you catch
the ghost-which I suspect is likely to
bs one OF the men-clap him in iron,
and put HIM In cell. I'll tend to him
tomorrow"
When Colonel Morgan left the mess
room, he visited the haunted post be-
fore retiring to his quarters, which
were close at hand. After replying to
the sentry's challenge, he asked Sykes:
Have you seen anything as yst?"
Not yet, SIR" replied the man.
II don't think that it is likely you
| WILL iOuldl hCu LILO SOlOuSl
with laugh as be retired to his room.
Shortly afterward, when the clock
struck two, the young officers left the
mess-room and cautiously stole over
the barrack square to the place where
Esprit held his won't to walk" Poor
Sykes was very glad Of their company,
for though he was man of undoubted
pluck, and greatly respected in the
regiment for his pugllistic proves, he
was not at all bright at the prospect OF
taekling the ghost all by himself. He
paced about on his post, keeping a
sharp lookout, and the officers crouched
under a shadow OF the wall; while the
dog took up its quarters IN the sentry
box. A little before three they were
startled by the appearance Of the appa-
rition, which carried as before, a drawn
sword.
"Who comes thereI" shouted Sykes,
bringing his rife to the charge"
The spectre made no answer, but
slowly raised its left hand to its fore.
head.
The dog, with q loud growl, sprang
out of the box and rushed open-mouthed
a. the figure; but when he approached
it began to wsg his tail, and evinced
symptoms OF great satisfaction. The
officers and the gentry at once sur.
rounded the ghost. and found, to their
most intense astOnishment, that il
WAS no other than Colonel Morgan
himself, sttired In his night dress, in a
state of somnambulisml
Aware of the danger OF awaking him
while In that condition, they followed
him to his room, whittier he almOs.
Immediately returned, and then they
saw him sheathe his sword and returned
to bed seemingly o5llvious OF their
presence.
Next morning he was apprisea of the
circumstances Of the case; and the pool
colonel was naturally very much con-
cerned on learning the nature of the
malady Of which he had been an uncon-
scious victim. OF course his frat &C.
ton was to write an explanation TO the
general, with q request for my release;
and his next to publish in regimental
orders his regret for tho trouble be had
unwlttingly Occasloned.
Several red-tapsd farmalities had to
be gone through; and 1t was some days
before was astonished and delighted
by an intimation from tho prison gov
ernor that l was free; and was handed
over to the charge Of the corporal, who
had been sent to bring me to my regi-
meat. Whenever l entered the bar
racks, was ordered to proceed at once
to the commanding ofncer's quarters.
Colonial Morgan shook hands with me.
and expressed his extreme concern
that he had been the innocent cause OF
my having b.en subjected to such
ignominy.
"No wonder that frightened you,
nv lad.n he observed with smile.
After informing me that he was about
to proceed on leave-with the intention
OF undergoing course OF medical
treatment to cure him OF his dangerous
propenslty to walk in his sleep-he pre-
sented me with five pounds by way OF
so,atum; and further gratifed me by
saying that having ascertained L was or
good character and we'll educated, he
had that day placed me In orders as
h wing been appointed lance-corporal::
.Always behave yourself, my lad, and
| shan't forget you," said the colonel;
and [ left .his quarters perfectly over
loved with my good luck, scarcely be-
lisving that the pleasant, affable. kind
ly gentleman with whom L had con-
yersed was the hectoring, bullying
commander who was the terror OF the
regiment.
The colonel faithfully kept his word
to me. When he rejoined the corps,
completely cured of his complaint, l
was promoted rapidly; and eight years
subsequently, through the influence oil
my patron, General Morgan. was
gazetted as quartermaster OF my regi'
ment.
The Ism he Had.
..What keeps Mr.-from kirk, Jamesf',
~